Temp Gun

[junglepython2]

I have a sentry ST650, for over 4 yrs and am very pleased with it. Also with your accuracy you have to remember they are taking an average spot temp. Get a gun with a good distance to spot ratio and take your temp reading as close to the surface as possible. I often see people using them having the gun well over a metre away from what they are trying to measure thinking it is taking the temp of exactly where the laser is when it really isnt.

[MR_IAN_DAVO]

From my limited knowledge base & what i have used, infrared heat guns work fine to find a general reading on surface temperatures. I have done in the past some tests & posted the results of different temps produced by heat emmitters/bulbs & the protection surrounds used to house them. You will find on here somewhere. With the test my gun maxed out at 300c & got a mate to bring & use an infrared thermal imaging camera which maxed out at much less, but both are as accurate as you will get in that type of situation or use.
However it is not something that i rely on & use on a day to day basis & only use it to check temps when needed.
Everything else of high heat or wattage is controlled by thermostats.

So my awnser to the original question is stick to a good brand & get one that has a high max temp reading.
The one that was suggested earlier -50 to 550c sounds pretty good to me & they are great to check surface temps from time to time.
Cheers
Ian

I don't know how to do a shortcut, maybe someone else smarter than me can do? but if you do a search on this forum Ceramic heater too hot burning roof - this is where you will find my temp reading results. Cheers

[Snowman]

Super great for internal temp checks, & like you say don't even need chef or sparky.I think that chefs would be better at internal temp checks than sparkys LOL.

Cheers
Ian

[deleted]
A link and info on the fluke temp gun I use.

"Fluke knows temperature, with more than two decades of thermometry experience. Today, we offer the latest in non-contact IR temperature test tools, probes, accessories, and application expertise for a complete range of applications. And Fluke backs its tools with the industry’s best warranty and highest rated customer service.Reach for a rugged Fluke 60 series IR thermometer for jobs requiring temperature measurement in hard-to-reach, hot, rotating, or dangerous situations. Get accurate readings over a broad range of temperatures -40°C to 760°C (-40 °F to 1400 °F). Plus, the enhanced optics allow you to measure smaller objects further away. All with a comfortable and easy to use handheld device
Designed with your on-the-job needs in mind, the new Fluke 62 MAX and 62 MAX+ infrared thermometers are everything you’d expect from the experts in measurement tools. Small in size, extremely accurate and very easy to use. IP54 rated for dust and water resistance. Precise yet rugged enough to take a 3-meter drop. In fact, the 62 MAX and 62 MAX+ are so tough, they’re the only IR thermometers around you can handle without care.
Fluke 62 MAX, 62 MAX+ Infrared Thermometers

Fluke 62 Mini infrared thermometer
The Fluke 62 Mini non-contact thermometer is the perfect introduction to infrared (IR) thermometers for the professional. With the best accuracy in its class, the Fluke 62 Mini offers quick and reliable surface temperature readings. This compact and portable tool enables professionals to diagnose heating and ventilation problems and monitor the temperature of electrical motors and electrical panels without contact. Rugged enough for industrial environments with its protective rubber “boot, the 62 Mini also comes with a handy nylon holster, keeping quick temperature checks at your fingertips."

Fluke 62 Mini Infrared Thermometer | Infrared Thermometer Gun

[Twitch_80]

[QUOTE=TumbleWeed;2212056]

Ummm I think you will find that it is indeed true, it's also true of government regulated culinary schools.
Same reason Aria and Quay don't use temp guns but rather contact and analogue thermometers, but please feel free to tell me I am wrong.
I only worked at both restaurants for over 3 years combined and used and recorded with them every single working day.

Thanks for your input though.

I have been in kitchens on and off for 17 years, they use them for internal (such as food in a bain marie) temperatures but not for external. If an inspector is in a large venue and has to record hundreds of temperatures he/she will not walk around for a week with contact and analogue thermometers to record the temps. Its ok though, you and your three years experience in school can tell me Im wrong lol.

The guns are fine is what Im saying

[TheCheshireCat]

Wow - all my APS dreams come true - a simple question - good brand of temperature gun - turns into heated (scuse the pun) argument over which is better...

Problem solved... Buy a temperature gun Elizabeth and enjoy the use of it - they're fine and accurate enough for your purpose. And if you were worried about their accuracy just get a bowl, fill it with a slurry (ice water mix) - as the ice is melting the temperature will hover around 0'C (or close enough). I think you'll find, for the purpose, they're fine!!!

Wouldn't the reading actually depend on how high you are above sea level when using freezing/boiling water as a means to calibrate any temperature reading device?
If "close enough" is "good enough" what's the point in having one in the first place?

][deleted].[/COLOR]

A link and info on the fluke temp gun I use.

"Fluke knows temperature, with more than two decades of thermometry experience. Today, we offer the latest in non-contact IR temperature test tools, probes, accessories, and application expertise for a complete range of applications. And Fluke backs its tools with the industry’s best warranty and highest rated customer service.Reach for a rugged Fluke 60 series IR thermometer for jobs requiring temperature measurement in hard-to-reach, hot, rotating, or dangerous situations. Get accurate readings over a broad range of temperatures -40°C to 760°C (-40 °F to 1400 °F). Plus, the enhanced optics allow you to measure smaller objects further away. All with a comfortable and easy to use handheld device
Designed with your on-the-job needs in mind, the new Fluke 62 MAX and 62 MAX+ infrared thermometers are everything you’d expect from the experts in measurement tools. Small in size, extremely accurate and very easy to use. IP54 rated for dust and water resistance. Precise yet rugged enough to take a 3-meter drop. In fact, the 62 MAX and 62 MAX+ are so tough, they’re the only IR thermometers around you can handle without care.
Fluke 62 MAX, 62 MAX+ Infrared Thermometers

Fluke 62 Mini infrared thermometer
The Fluke 62 Mini non-contact thermometer is the perfect introduction to infrared (IR) thermometers for the professional. With the best accuracy in its class, the Fluke 62 Mini offers quick and reliable surface temperature readings. This compact and portable tool enables professionals to diagnose heating and ventilation problems and monitor the temperature of electrical motors and electrical panels without contact. Rugged enough for industrial environments with its protective rubber “boot, the 62 Mini also comes with a handy nylon holster, keeping quick temperature checks at your fingertips."

Fluke 62 Mini Infrared Thermometer | Infrared Thermometer Gun

Snowman, your insults are childish at best.
Wouldn't you have gone to the "school for high achievers" to obtain your trade certificate? Or did you learn from an "ehow" webpage or similar?

Please enlighten us all with some of your husbandry tactics, I really need to know how to keep carpet pythons

[Snowman]

Indeed. 3 years of Tafe to become a sparky and 6 years part time uni of which I have done 4 so far to obtain my degree in electrical engineering which is paid for by the mining company I work for so no hec's debt
It would be impossible for me to work as an electrical designer without most of my degree completed. I haven't worked as a sparky for years.

[Ramsayi]

I would encourage anyone keeping reptiles to purchase a temp gun with a laser guide.They are invaluable to get an understanding of what's happening in your enclosures with regard to temps.They enable you to instantly check every corner of an enclosure as well as the reptile itself.They do not need to be accurate down to the last point of a degree,a couple of degrees either way is more than adequate.

[slim6y]

Wouldn't the reading actually depend on how high you are above sea level when using freezing/boiling water as a means to calibrate any temperature reading device?
If "close enough" is "good enough" what's the point in having one in the first place?

You enjoy an argument - but... Good news for you...

The fact that isobaric pressure changes are evident by the minute, then, surely all scientific equipment that relies on pressure to any degree must be inaccurate... And, to any extent, there are a MULTITUDE of examples - but unless you're having some sort a freakishly awesome laboratory kind of like the one on Despicable Me, then I am quite convinced you're not going to calibrate your rectal thermometer either.

So... Within the 2 dp that you'd get as a difference... Yes, you heard me.. 2 dp difference, I think you can quite mildly say - so what!

[Snowman]

You enjoy an argument - but... Good news for you...

The fact that isobaric pressure changes are evident by the minute, then, surely all scientific equipment that relies on pressure to any degree must be inaccurate... And, to any extent, there are a MULTITUDE of examples - but unless you're having some sort a freakishly awesome laboratory kind of like the one on Despicable Me, then I am quite convinced you're not going to calibrate your rectal thermometer either.

So... Within the 2 dp that you'd get as a difference... Yes, you heard me.. 2 dp difference, I think you can quite mildly say - so what!

He's not going to understand what you are saying. For starters you have no pictures!

[MR_IAN_DAVO]

You enjoy an argument - but... Good news for you...

The fact that isobaric pressure changes are evident by the minute, then, surely all scientific equipment that relies on pressure to any degree must be inaccurate... And, to any extent, there are a MULTITUDE of examples - but unless you're having some sort a freakishly awesome laboratory kind of like the one on Despicable Me, then I am quite convinced you're not going to calibrate your rectal thermometer either.

So... Within the 2 dp that you'd get as a difference... Yes, you heard me.. 2 dp difference, I think you can quite mildly say - so what!

Once again with my limited expert experience, i have to agree here as i take water sample readings such as DO% PH amougnst other & barometric pressure does effect the reading. We did an excersice one day with different barometric pressure setting calibrated & it made 5/8 of different between nothing.
I think you get my meaning. So what. Temp gun will give you a reasonable accurate reading for what a reptile keeper would want to know.
Cheers
Ian
except for internal temperatures where you need a chef or other type thermometers.LOL.

[Snowman]

except for internal temperatures where you need a chef or other type thermometers.LOL.

hahaha
I have to admit I don't know much about cooking. I just set the oven at desired temp. I wonder if I should get some sort of meter to make sure the oven temp is correct

[Fantazmic]

OMG what a thread to wade through to ind inof ona temp gun

Michael I am not taking my snakes temperature by putting a thermometer up its bum lol

Thanks guys now I have some info to go on ebay with !!

[dannydee]

When I open the doors of my enclosures, heat escapes. I measure my temps with digital meters. That have two probes, so I can place them wherever I like, shut the doors and then, from what I can make out, get pretty accurate readings.
Now see, I want a temp gun but can they take readings through glass? Otherwise are you always taking a reading a few degrees lower than what it should be because heat has already escaped by opening the enclosure?

[Fantazmic]

youre probably right...I hadnt thought about it

so tell me about the digital thermometers you use and where did you get them.....

[dannydee]

Just type in digital thermometers for reptiles into google and many come up. There are also ones that measure humidity as well. The ones I use, like I said, have two sensors on thin cable about two meters long. I can position them anywhere in the enclosures and with a touch of a button, see what sensor is reading what.